Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai announces his intention to step down as Premier

May 7, 2025

Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai issued the following statement:

“Over the past 16 years, I have had the privilege to serve Yukoners as a Whitehorse city councillor, MLA for Porter Creek South, a cabinet minister and now as Premier.

“Throughout that time, Yukoners have welcomed me into their homes, workplaces and communities. Together, we have navigated moments of joy and sadness and worked to build a stronger, more inclusive territory.

“Serving as Premier of the Yukon has been the greatest honour of my life. Today, however, I am announcing my intention to step aside as Premier of the Yukon and Yukon Liberal Party Leader. This will trigger a leadership race, which will select the next Yukon Liberal Party Leader and Premier of the Yukon. I will continue to serve as a cabinet minister at the pleasure of the next Premier and will serve for the remainder of my term as MLA for Porter Creek South.

“Over the past nine years, our government has worked with Yukoners to accomplish so much.

“Together we brought telecommunications redundancy to the North with the Dempster Fibre Project, made significant investments in renewable energy infrastructure and advanced land use planning and conservation. We formed partnerships with Yukon First Nations in the energy, mining, tourism and housing sectors and secured funding from the federal government to build a new convention centre. We’ve worked on behalf of Yukoners to invest in health and wellness across the territory, advanced programs like affordable child care and paid sick leave, guided our territory through the pandemic and economic recovery and are now working collaboratively with provincial and territorial partners and the federal government to fight back against the Trump administration’s threats to our economy and our way of life.

“The Yukon is an extraordinary place – where dreams are fulfilled and lives can flourish. It has been a privilege to serve as the MLA for Porter Creek South, as minister and as your premier. I want to thank my wife and our sons for their support – I can’t wait to spend more time with you all. I look forward to stepping back from public life, spending more time with my friends and family and enjoying all that our incredible territory has to offer.”

Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca

NT4